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New Rifle: Ruger Precision Rimfire
The Precision Rimfire puts a chassis rifle in reach of more shooters and looks to be a slick training tool.
What makes the Precision Rimfire tick:
- The Precision Rimfire can adjust to a 3-inch bolt throw.
- It has a glass-filled nylon chassis.
- This feature trims the rifle's weight to 6.8 pounds.
- The Precision Rimfire has an 18-inch barrel, threaded for a muzzle device.
- And it's outfitted with the Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger.
- The rifle has an MSRP of $529.
The concept of .22 LR versions of full-sized firearms has played out well in many segments of the shooting market. Consider concealed carry. The plinker models of many of today’s most popular defensive guns have become valuable diagnostic and training tools, not to mention they make practice much easier on the pocketbook.
But does this notion hold over to the arena of precision shooting? Ruger is betting it does with the introduction of a rimfire variant of its popular chassis rifle. And while the Precision Rimfire might not have the pep to place rounds dead on target 1,000 yards out, it certainly looks more than capable of stitching together tight groups within the .22 LR’s range.
Interestingly, Ruger seems to have the idea the rifle will fill a similar role the supplementary .22s have for other firearms — training. Not only has the New Hampshire gunmaker shot for like results to its Ruger Precision Rifle downrange, but also experience.
This is blatantly obvious in one interesting aspect of the Precision Rimfire — its bolt throw. Removing a spring clip, the rifle’s throw goes from a typical rimfire’s 1½-inch throw to 3 inches — the same as the centerfire Precision rifle’s. This emulates much of the operation of the larger gun for a practice routine and, as Ruger’s press release points out, is a feature that reduces the chance of short stroking the bolt in competition.
While extremely similar in design to the centerfire rifles, the Precision Rimfire is scaled down and tweaked for the caliber. But where it’s changed in form, it still retains the function of the Precision Rifle.
Perhaps the Precision Rimfire’s biggest break from its bigger brother is the heart of the system — the chassis. Freed from the material constraints required to fire a high-powered centerfire cartridge, Ruger has opted for glass-filled molded nylon for this key part of the rifle. The polymer, however, should still provide the stiffness, strength and stability to make it a highly accurate rifle.
Additionally, the chassis makes the rifle featherweight. At only 6.8 pounds, the Precision Rimfire isn’t just bound to target practice and competition, it’s a legitimate field gun. On top of that, its 18-inch barrel (1/2-8 muzzle thread pattern) has the ability to ensure the round itself lives up to its full ballistic potential.
The rifle features a completely adjustable buttstock with 3.5 inches of play in length of pull and ample amendment in the cheek rest. It has a Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger, which is user adjustable between 2.25 to 5 pounds. And it’s outfitted with a 15-inch hard black anodized aluminum handguard featuring M-LOK slots on all four sides.
QD pockets, an integral Picatinny rail (30 MOA of elevation), an AR-pattern grip and other small but important features give the all the qualities sought after in a precision rifle on a rimfire platform.
The Precision Rimfire ships with one 15-round BX-15 magazine, but it is compatible with 10/22 magazines. This adds a nice bit of flexibility to the rifle, especially when it comes to aftermarket magazines.
The price of the rifle is also a reason to get excited about what Ruger has brought to the table. With an MSRP of $529, it definitely resides in a tonier neighborhood than most rimfires. However, as a training tool or the entryway to a chassis rifle, the Precision Rimfire could be priced just right for a lot of shooters.
Specifications:
Ruger Precision Rimfire
Caliber: .22 LR
Stock: Quick-Fit Precision Rimfire Adjustable
Capacity: 15
Barrel Length: 18 in.
Overall Length: 35.13-38.63 in.
Grip: AR-Pattern
Handguard: Free-Float M-LOK Aluminum Handguard Finish Hard Black Anodized
Thread Pattern: 1/2-28
Length of Pull: 12-15.50 in.
Sights: None-Rail Installed
Barrel: Threaded Cold Hammer-Forged 4140 Alloy Steel
Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Grooves: 6
Suggested Retail: $529
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